Plot

May is very happy to have won her 2nd ribbon. Ash is confident, as they go back to Petalbug City to challenge Norman. However, he asks Brock for water, but the canteen is empty. However, Brock has a good reason, so he runs, with others following him. Team Rocket are seen working with some boxes of bottles of water. The gang arrives near, so Brock says that there is a spring nearby. A Zubat is suddenly arriving, scaring May, Max and Ash. Brock spots a Solrock and they go after it, but fall into a hole.

Team Rocket capture Pikachu, but are knocked out (with Pikachu going to Ash) by flames. It was Solrock who attacked. Anyway, James sends Cacnea, starting to use Pin Missile on Solrock. Solrock shows no sign of damage and uses Solar Beam, blasting Team Rocket off. After the battle, Solrock disappeared. The gang goes to the spring, but are shocked when they see that the spring is dry. May spots a village, however, and they go. On their way, they are less and less convinced that it has any water, since it seems abandoned.

Ash sends Corphish and Brock his Lotad and Mudkip to detect water. May's Skitty goes out from her Poké Ball to help, too. Corphish digs and other Pokémon go out to find other sources. Corphish, unfortunately, digs out a pot. Mudkip spots a well, but Brock sees no water as well. Lotad falls down, so Brock gets Lotad up. When Lotad got up, it evolves into a Lombre. An old woman runs to Lombre, beginning to worship it. The woman tells that the "Great Lombre" brings good luck, while Solrock brings bad luck to the village.

Ash asks what's this about Solrock bringing bad luck, but they first go inside to drink water. Mary (the one who brought them into the house) tells them of water shortage. The spring near the village supplied it and it is said that "Great Lombre" lives there. However, a meteorite fell one day near the spring and since that day the Solrock lived near the village and the water shortage was present. The villagers believe that the Solrock was the reason of the water shortage. The old woman and the villagers perform the rain dance to attract rain, but Ash is angry when they still accuse Solrock of the shortage.

The villagers perform the dance at the spring. Even Brock's Lombre performs the rain dance. Some Bellossom, Oddish, Seedot, Shroomish and Ash's Pikachu join the dance. However, there is no rain, so Ash suspects if Solrock would dance as well, maybe the rain would appear. Brock reminds that Solrock can read minds and it wouldn't be near those who hate it. The older woman says she's not fond of Solrock. However, Brock has an idea - only Lombre is left who is happy, while others hide to wait for Solrock to appear. Solrock appears and talks with Lombre.

May's Skitty goes out from Poké Ball and goes out into a cave. Mary comes with May to find Skitty. They found Skitty, but something else as well - a water pump which drains all the water. Team Rocket package the water inside the bottles. Jessie sees the Lombre and Solrock, so Meowth thinks that if they were to capture them, their boss would use Lombre as a sink and Solrock to dry the water from boss's face. Team Rocket agree, but are stopped when May and Mary spot them. The Solrock dances as well, but the older woman thinks it is a curse, so the villagers go to attack it.

Solrock uses Psychic, but is convinced that they aren't going to hurt them, so he puts them down. May and Mary arrive to tell others it was Team Rocket's idea. A robot appears, with Team Rocket inside. Meowth pushes a button, capturing Solrock and Lombre. Lombre uses Razor Leaf, freeing themselves. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, but water is launched from the robot, so Pikachu is knocked out. Team Rocket aim at the villagers, but Solrock goes to protect them. Solrock spins, warming itself and goes after Team Rocket, knocking the robot out. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, blasting Team Rocket away.

Solrock spins even more and the air gets hotter. The Solrock is out of control and goes to the village. The woman asks them to save the village, so Lombre uses Water Gun. Brock sends Mudkip to use Water Gun as well, cooling Solrock down. As the heat wears off, the rainstorm gathers and soon rain falls. Solrock is stopped as well and the spring is filled with water again.

After the rain stops, everyone is gathering water. However, Mary spots that her grandma is changing her worship from Lombre to Solrock. The gang leaves the village to Petalburg City.